Cambodia’s Peace Is Being Undermined by Thailand’s Acts of Aggression

Cambodia’s Peace Is Being Undermined by Thailand’s Acts of Aggression

“Peace” is a priceless historical achievement for Cambodia—one that was attained through immense sacrifice, including the lives and efforts of countless Cambodian citizens and leaders across generations. After decades of war, instability, and political turmoil, Cambodia finally reached an era of peace and development. Yet today, that very peace is being shaken and undermined by Thailand’s ongoing aggressive actions and violations of Cambodia’s sovereignty along the border.

The history of Cambodia–Thailand relations has long been marked by complexity, including persistent border disputes stemming from conflicting map interpretations, temple-related claims, and contested territories that have frequently become politically sensitive flashpoints. One of the major driving forces behind Thailand’s recurrent aggression is not solely the border issue itself but also the influence of Thailand’s internal political dynamics.

During times of domestic turmoil—political fractures, leadership crises, or economic downturns—Thai leaders across different administrations have frequently turned to border conflicts as a political tool to regain popularity. Nationalist sentiment and disputes with neighboring countries are often exploited to divert public attention. Given the long-standing history of border sensitivities between Cambodia and Thailand, Cambodia repeatedly becomes the convenient target in Thailand’s strategic political calculations.

As a result, Cambodia continues to be the victim whenever Thailand drags the situation into cycles of military confrontation—just as is happening now. Despite this, both the region and the broader international community strongly encourage peaceful conflict resolution. Thailand’s border incursions, aggressive use of force, military threats, and violations of peace agreements pose a serious threat to the peace that Cambodia has worked tirelessly to preserve.

The consequences of Thailand’s aggressive actions extend far beyond military tensions; they inflict severe impacts on civilians, infrastructure, and livelihoods.

Cambodian houses, farmlands, businesses, properties, and public facilities have suffered immense destruction. Many innocent civilians have been killed or injured, while tens of thousands of families have been forcibly displaced to escape indiscriminate attacks by Thai forces. Border residents, farmers, traders, and workers are among the most affected, forced to endure disrupted mobility, closed border crossings, restricted economic activities, and constant fear whenever tensions escalate.

These attacks are not mere border skirmishes; they constitute real acts of aggression. They have caused grave humanitarian consequences—loss of life, injuries, and large-scale destruction of civilian property and national infrastructure—deeply tragic and unacceptable outcomes.

In the face of such dangerous and complex circumstances, Cambodia continues to adhere firmly to the principles of peace, patience, and diplomatic conflict resolution based on international law. The Cambodian government persistently employs bilateral mechanisms, negotiations, and legal avenues to seek justice through peaceful means. However, patience and a desire to prevent war must never be mistaken for relinquishing national sovereignty. Safeguarding territorial integrity and national security remains the highest duty of the Royal Government of Cambodia.

True peace cannot be achieved through force, weapons, or threats. Genuine peace must be grounded in mutual respect for sovereignty, adherence to international law, and shared responsibility as neighboring countries. Cambodia has long chosen the path of peace, but maintaining that peace requires Thailand to cease its acts of aggression and return to the negotiating table with honesty and mutual respect—particularly by upholding the Kuala Lumpur Peace Agreement signed on 26 October 2025.

If Thailand truly claims to be a nation of peace that respects international law, then both its government and its military must pursue peaceful border resolution using agreed mechanisms—without attacking civilians or fabricating baseless justifications to seize Cambodia’s lawful territory.

Conversely, Thailand’s decision to step back from aggression would be an opportunity to restore its credibility, as Thai leaders cannot position themselves as a military power greater than global superpowers. The leaders and heroic armed forces of Cambodia—united under strong national solidarity—along with the Cambodian people and the international community, will never stand by silently in the face of Thailand’s destructive military aggression against Cambodian civilians and Cambodian sovereignty.

The use of force and weapons to seize territory or rewrite history is unacceptable and impossible in today’s modern world.

By: Pin Vichey – Political Science Scholar